Today (November 13) is the 168th anniversary of author Robert Louis Stevenson’s birth so I was intrigued to find this unusual reference to him on a recent visit to Stirling. The owner of this car might not be paying tribute to a much-loved author, he or she might simply have a name with the same…

As a new blogger, I thought I was getting the hang of things by drafting a post about Hallowe’en in advance of the day and scheduling it to post on October 31. But my post didn’t appear on the appointed day so clearly I haven’t learned that lesson yet. It seems I got the scheduling…

This week’s questions in the #SYW challenge. Name two books that have influenced you and share how. I’m sure I have been influenced in some way by every book I’ve read, even if it is only to decide that a certain style, topic, setting or author is not to my taste. It’s therefore difficult to…

I was reminded unexpectedly of John Buchan’s The Thirty-Nine Steps on recent a visit to Glasgow. Credited by some as the forerunner of the modern thriller, The Thirty-Nine Steps is probably Buchan’s most well-known work and since its first publication in 1915, film and theatre adaptations have expanded its reach considerably. In the light of its reputation, I perhaps shouldn’t have…

This week’s questions in the #SYW challenge. What’s your go-to for unwinding after a stressful event or day? This all depends on the nature of the stress. My three favourite de-stressors are: lively conversation with family or friends over a good meal, listening to an uplifting piece of music, or sitting quietly by the river/walking through…

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